By Khaleel Walker, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, kjm6184@psu.edu

With the release of the Nintendo Switch and being a year away from the next generation of consoles, it seems like a good time to talk about the sentimentality of home consoles and handheld consoles.

Many of us grew up around home consoles such as the PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo console systems. Nothing can be more relaxing in which after a day of hard work returning home, sitting down on the couch, and playing an engaging game on one’s television.

Speaking of an engaging, home console videogames tend to be better looking as well as having better sounding than their handheld brethren. Therefore, they can be more immersive; the Xbox One X features high-end graphics and spatial audio to provide a grabbing experience for the player. Another beneficial part of home consoles are local couch-cooperative games. These games such as Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Overcooked, and Halo provided both cooperative and competitive experiences from casual to hardcore players.

However, handheld consoles can be as important to people as much their home counterparts. Let’s use an example of a student who is in between classes and has nothing to do. They could pass the time by pulling out a Nintendo Switch or a PlayStation Vita to help pass the time. With the regular Nintendo Switch, students can play cooperative games with their friends while they wait for their classes to start. It is simply fun to be able to do that.

I went around campus and asked multiple students here at Penn State Brandywine about their own opinions on the subject. Speaking on home consoles, Greg McLauchlan said, “It has basically been the only one I have. I play with my friends and its easier to meet people online.” Jake Iouacchini simply said that home consoles are, “much more powerful than handheld ones.” In contrast, a good amount of students chose handheld consoles as the more sentimental. Student Rahul Gupta stated, “I have it with me everywhere. It helps me in between classes.” Another student, Alex Znamensky also provided input: “I have it all the time. It’s an extension of your hands. It is part of my everyday activity. It’s always been a part of me.” “When you said handheld, I thought PSP (PlayStation Portable)” said student Boubou Magassa. “I have sentimental value with handheld. It was cool because [I could take it] anywhere. And I’m too lazy to set up a home console.” With that all said, many students both care about the value of home and handheld consoles.

It is all about the importance of power verses portability. The home consoles provide many people with power in terms of being a showcase of both graphics and gameplay on the big screens. Meanwhile, other people value the portability of a handheld console which is enough to carry them through a long commute or wait in between class periods. It is ultimately a lifestyle preference and both can provide students an engaging experience when their relaxing from a barrage of college assignments. Pick up a controller and have fun.

By: Angel Asomugha, Lion’s Eye Editor, axa1519@psu.edu

Attending college should not be a student’s only focus. Yes, a focus on academics and getting good grades is key to success, but college is also a time to network and create valuable lifetime friendships. One of the ways to achieve this is to find a job on campus.  

There are different ways Penn State students are able to work on campus. Students are able to work through the Federal Work Study program, Pathway to Success `summer Start (PaSSS) and the Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement program or by looking at PSU Brandywine student employment website.

Each of these programs gives students different avenues for working on campus. Although all three programs are different they share a common goal of helping students find convenient employment and eventually guiding them to find a career after graduation.

Each of the programs that are offered by Penn State Brandywine has certain requirements that must be filled or meet. 

Work study is a type of program that is federally funded and is offered through the Free Application For Federal Student Aid. For students who are looking into working through work study, they need to sign up for it on their financial aid application to be considered or approved. The funding will take the form of financial aid. 

PaSSS is usually offered to incoming freshmen and allows students to start off their college career in the summer, before their freshman year, allowing them to earn six credits and to work as well—either during the summer or when the fall semester starts. Claire Nolan, Enrollment Services Specialist describes it, “PaSSS is a great opportunity for students to get acclimated to college life. PaSSS students take two courses in the summer and can also choose to work on campus through the program.”

The Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement office is that works hand-in-hand with Federal Work Study as well. Vippy Yee, as the director, focuses the employment efforts to those with community partners, which can be both on and off-campus. Students from all majors are encouraged to seek employment; some of these positions can be funded through federal work study funding as well.

If a student does not qualify for any of the funded programs they can still apply for salaried position as a regular employee and go through the application process to be considered. Some of the other places where students can work is the Blue Apple Café, library, mailroom and the gym. Try psu.jobs for more information.

By: Matt Marsh, Lion’s Eye Staff Editor, mwm6137@psu.edu

With the start of a new academic year and fall term, one naturally thinks of the new field of freshman and transfer students, but it also is a time when new faculty and staff get acclimated to the Brandywine campus and community.

The academic affairs team added four new staff members coming into this school year as well as four faculty members. Zoia Pavlovskaia, lecturer in business, Kimeta Straker, coordinator for student success and retention coordinator, and Anna Bachus coordinator of student disability resources are just three of those being introduced.

Zoia Pavlovskaia teaches in the business department at Brandywine. Pavlovskaia graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with an undergraduate degree in international marketing and an M.B.A in marketing. Before teaching, Pavlovskaia worked in business, sales, sports marketing, public relations, brand management, and social media management in the U.S. and Russia. She expects that her, “industry experience allows students to experience both the practical and theoretical application of business concepts.”

Keep an eye out for Professor Pavlovskaia at Fair Trade events on campus where she will be bringing her knowledge and know-how to the community. Since Brandywine is the only Fair Trade campus among the Penn State campuses, she said, “I’m eager to be a part of the Fair Trade efforts here at Penn State Brandywine.”

Kimeta Straker has a goal of student success and, especially for incoming freshman, student camaraderie. Coming from the University of Connecticut where she was employed for 15 years as the assistant director of advising. She anticipates that coming to a smaller campus, “allows faculty and staff to be able work together towards student success.” A goal Straker set her sights on is to galvanize the students around the brand of Penn State, “whether it’s a hashtag, or an event, or some type of activity that would bring students together to talk about what it was that attracted them to Brandywine.”

With Fall 2019 being her first “start” of an academic year at Brandywine, she has already dubbed the class of 2023 #Tenacious23Brandywine because she is hopeful they are tenacious enough to have a great experience from the start of their first semester until their last in 2023.

Anna Bachus started working at Brandywine in late January and from her first day she has worked as, “an advocate for students with disabilities on our campus and to help the campus community ensure that we are inclusive and accessible for those with disabilities.” Transitioning to Brandywine Bachus was, “very excited about the opportunity to work on a small, intimate campus and she has really enjoyed having the ability to develop strong relationships with the campus community here.”

Come say hello to the new staff who can all be found on the second floor of the Main Building.

As the new academic year kicks off note that there are new faces all over the campus ranging from incoming freshman to transfer students all the way to new faculty and staff, so be sure to wave to a stranger and hug a friend. The new school year is here.

Middletown Township, Pennsylvania, home to Penn State Brandywine, maintains one of the largest municipally-owned open space systems in the Philadelphia area, according to Middletown’s website, Middletowndelcopa.gov. The lands consist of open spaces, privately owned areas with public access and a lengthy trail system. PSU students are invited to use the facilities as community members for recreation, exercise and fresh air.

In 1986, Middletown launched Project 300, a collaborative community effort to preserve the natural lands for residents of the Township. Middletown’s website explains the initiative as pivotal to protecting the lands.

“Middletown was felt to be a key element in helping to retain and protect the present character and quality of life of our community,” according to Middletowndelcopa.gov.

As public facilities, there is no entry fee for almost all of the trails and parks. Residents of Delaware and surrounding counties are invited to use the lands as desired.

Middletown’s trail system has systems ranging from about one mile to around four miles. The trails in the system are multi-purposed with paved trails for walking, running and bike riding to horse riding trails offered along the Rocky Run trail.

Trails in Middletown Township and Delaware County include the Cornucopia, Darlington, Rocky Run, Indian Orchard, Linvill, Millennium, Sleighton and the Chester Creek Rail-Trail.

The Chester Creek Rail-Trail is a paved trail that runs along the Chester Creek off Mt. Alverno Road, roughly half a mile from Linvilla Orchards on Knowlton Road. With multiple sections of pull-off lots, visitors can access free parking. Available nearing the two-mile marker is parking on Mt. Alverno.

The paved path is roughly ten-foot-wide asphalt that winds down along the creek with bridges guarded with high railings. Lined alongside the path is high power electrical lines that add to the landscape a bit of urban appeal.

Middletown Township also is home to the privately owned and operated Tyler Arboretum. Located at 515 Painter Road, Tyler Arboretum offers memberships, family and individual, and day passes for visitors to examine plants and horticulture exhibits as well as seasonal exhibits and special events. PSU students can find free passes to the grounds through the Vairo library.

New transfer student Chris DeLeo recounted on his latest trip to the arboretum.

“I went with my Grandmother. It was a very nice day,” said DeLeo. “My favorites included the tree houses in the rhododendron and the giant sequoia.”

The arboretum is not served by regional buses, according to Tylerarboretum.org, but students can use ride share services such as Uber or Lyft to access the grounds. Tyler offers visitors a gift shop with stuffed animals and apparel as well as refreshments and small snacks.

For families in Middletown and neighboring communities, Linvilla Orchards and the Linvill trail are close in proximity for attractions and exercise alike.

Linvilla Orchards in Middletown is a recreational area with seasonal attractions, such as Pumpkinland in the fall and guided fruit picking trips in the spring. Guests are also encouraged to visit the animal exhibits and the fishing pond which are open 11 months of the year. Visitors are invited to explore the grounds year-round with available free parking.

First year Brandywine student, Dan Nearey, described his experience at Linvilla in the recent years.

“I went for the apple slingers. (Linvilla) sets up catapults then lets you shoot apples at targets in the fields.”

Like Linvilla, Middletown is also looking to create activities more for their visitors.

Middletown Township is currently working on expansion of their trail network to create a longer system along the Chester and Ridley Creeks. Middletown hopes to connect the trails for a greater outdoor experience.

According to Middletown’s website, “Interconnecting (trails) and other significant open space tracts to provide an even greater opportunity for residents to enjoy the natural beauty and diversity of our community.”

Students are encouraged to go beyond the bounds of campus and explore their neighboring facilities.

For more information on Middletown Township and contact information about the trail systems, visit www.Middletowndelcopa.gov. For event information at Linvilla Orchards, visit www.Linvilla.com.

By: Brad Dawson, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, bpd13@psu.edu

There is a unique athletic opportunity that exists at Brandywine, an opportunity for student-athletes to get recruited, or even walk on in the sport of interest. For the student who wants to play a team sport, but did not leave high school with an athletic scholarship, this is an alternative. Brandywine athletics are at the top of our conference for a reason and that is the opportunity for everyone to play.

The Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference(PSUAC) is the conference Brandywine competes in for all their athletics. Brandywine has opportunities for all incoming freshman or current students to try out for any team. Teams hold tryouts to fill roster spots or just to see if anyone is interested in competing. Coaches even learn the names of people interested in playing from the involvement club fair at the beginning of the year.

Dalton Palmer is a prime example of an athlete who was able to get recruited to play baseball. He played in high school and got recruited by the baseball coach from Penn State Brandywine. He worked hard and was able to commit in his senior year.

“It was a hard process that my coach made easy. He always checked in on me and showed me around campus one day. I fell in love with the school as it felt home for me. Now since I am a sophomore and have my freshman year down, I am more excited to play and ready for the upcoming challenges.”

One thing that Brandywine Athletics make a commitment to, is academics for all the athletes. School comes first and the coaches and athletics department are always there to help athletes if they are having trouble in the classroom. The required freshman athletic seminar is also a way for incoming athletes to stay on track with school and time management when making the transition into college. This one credit course is taught by Brandywine’s Athletic Director, Bobbi Caprice. This is a great way for freshmen to get to know other freshman athletes and Bobbi.

Caprice is in charge of showing recruits the campus and staying in touch with students while recruiting them. It is their main goal to help new recruits feel welcomed to the Brandywine family.

Recruits have to opportunity to sit in classes and even stay overnight, if needed, in the dorms. Caprice tells us this, “day in a life of a Brandywine student,” helps the student experience school and athletics.

An example of a walk-on athlete is Austin Aurillo. Last year he walked on as a golf player. He helped Brandywine win its school’s first-ever win for the golf team. He walked-on senior year, so was only able to play one year, but the experience will last a lifetime.

“I loved the opportunity to play golf for my college. It was an experience like no other and I am beyond thankful for all the memories and friendships created. I still talk to my old teammates on a regular basis. I was nervous being the new walk on for the team but they opened their arms to me and we had an amazing year together as a team.”

Brandywine’s athletics are top in their division for a reason and the commitment to flexibility plays a big role. Every team has walk-ons who play with heart and soul every night for their team to help them win. Coaches do a great job letting students try out because sometimes, they get surprised by a great walk on athlete who amazes the crowds.